One-man teams: Van Persie and Arsenal, Gerrard and Liverpool and more highly influential players
Robin Van Persie's latest match-winning performance for Arsenal once more demonstrated how important the Dutchman is to the Gunners' cause. With Arsene Wenger's team experiencing a difficult start to the season after the departure of key players in Fabregas and Nasri, their reliance on van Persie would appear to be greater than ever.
No team is ever truly a one-man band, because even the greatest players need team-mates to help them get a result, but some teams certainly wouldn't have had the same success without their key player…
Steven Gerrard AND Liverpool 2004-2006
Ever since his first full season as a teenage Liverpool player in 1999/2000, it was clear that Steven Gerrard was a key player for the Anfield club. The peak of his influence came between 2004 and 2006, a period when Liverpool were very much a team in transition between the fading Houllier era and the 2008/09 Benitez team that lost just two Premier League games all season. The 2004/05 side was particularly mediocre, finishing below great rivals Everton in fifth and losing 1-0 away to Burnley in the FA Cup (without Gerrard). On the brink of crashing out of the Champions League group stages, Gerrard scored one of the greatest Anfield goals to take them past Olympiacos, then scored the vital first against AC Milan in that final, before performing a remarkable job as an emergency right-back as his team-mates faded in extra time. A year later, he was at it again with a simply stunning brace in the FA Cup final – 'the Gerrard final' – to pull Liverpool back from the brink once again, then converted in the penalty shoot-out.
DIEGO MARADONA AND ARGENTINA 1986
As a precocious teenager Diego Maradona was left out of Argentina's victorious 1978 World Cup squad, then suffered an ignominious exit from the 1982 tournament after being sent off against Brazil as the defending champions crashed out. It's fair to say that the best player on the planet had a few scores to settle when he led Argentina at Mexico '86. The South Americans, while always competitive, certainly didn't boast a stunning line up, but in Maradona they possessed a footballer who was in a different class to everyone else. Forget the handball against England, because Maradona's contribution at the 1986 World Cup should be remembered for the way he inspired and lifted a team to heights they almost certainly wouldn't have achieved without his greatness, not least when he played a peerless pass to Jorge Burruchaga to win the trophy, just when it looked as though West Germany would emerge triumphant.
MATT LE TISSIER AND Southampton 1995-1997
Between 1986 and 2002 Matt Le Tissier was an exceptional servant to Southampton, scoring over 200 goals and, at times, making goal of the season a competition with himself. His greatest contribution arguably came between 1995 and 1997, when Saints were embroiled in two desperate struggles against relegation, staying up on goal difference in 1996 and by a single point in 1997. Without Le God's contribution, Southampton would have gone down, no question. In fact, a biography of the man was titled 'One-Man Team'.
MICHAEL BALLACK AND GERMANY 2002
Germany have appeared in seven World Cup finals and six Euro finals, not to mention a host of last four appearances. When the German national team play in a tournament, they more often than not expect to feature in the latter stages. Except at the 2002 World Cup, when an ageing Germany were thought to have no chance of repeating the success of their illustrious predecessors. Having finished bottom of their group at Euro 2000 (below even England – yes, that bad), Germany had struggled to qualify for the 2002 World Cup via the play-offs, after being humiliated 5-1 at home by England's up-and-coming young 'Golden Generation'. It was supposed to be England's time, but it was Germany that made their way to the final, thanks to the crucial contribution of Michael Ballack. While Oliver Kahn was a key presence in goal, it was Ballack who turned Germany into match-winners, grabbing a vital quarter final winner, then putting in a huge semi final performance to clinch a final spot. Facing hosts South Korea in the last four, Ballack committed a 'tactical' foul to deny South Korea a goal scoring opportunity, knowing he would certainly be banned for the final if Germany qualified. He then had the composure to score the winner just minutes later, but Germany badly missed his cutting edge in the final, losing 2-0 to Brazil despite surprisingly having good possession.
DAVID BECKHAM AND ENGLAND 2001
Ordinarily a player running all over the pitch might disrupt his team's balance and leave gaps for the opposition to exploit, but England's collective performance in their final 2002 World Cup qualifier with Greece was so bad that David Beckham had every right to tear about the field. The England captain was forced to put in one of the all-time great individual performances, as he virtually single-handedly rescued England from a deflating defeat that would have seen them give up an automatic qualification place. With seconds left and England trailing 2-1 to Greece after a shocking performance from his team-mates, up stepped Beckham to curl home a stunning free-kick in front of Old Trafford's Stretford End to rescue the Three Lions.
EUSEBIO AND PORTUGAL 1966
Eusebio is arguably Benfica's and Portugal's greatest ever player, winning the European Cup and 11 Primeira Liga titles in his career at Benfica. He very nearly took Portugal to a World Cup Final in 1966, scoring twice against defending champions Brazil, as he outshone Pele at Goodison Park. His nine goals in just six games at the tournament gave him the Golden Boot, including a semi final strike against England at Wembley, but two Bobby Charlton goals denied Eusebio the chance to grace the biggest stage of all. Portugal wouldn't have even been in the semi finals if it wasn't for Eusebio's single-handed destruction of North Korea in the quarter finals, in which they trailed 3-0 in the first half. Undaunted, Eusebio scored four goals in an incredible comeback as Portugal beat the Koreans 5-3.